Karnataka Govt Orders Formation of SIT To Probe Into COVID-19 Pandemic Scam During BJP’s Rule

Bengaluru: Karnataka government has given nod to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged COVID-19 pandemic scam during BJP -led government in state. latest move by Congress -led government in Karnataka under Siddaramaiah will now potentially pave way to probe management being done during Covid era and eventually filing a case against n Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. 

SIT will be heed by an officer, not below rank of inspector-general and will act based on findings of Justice John Michael Cunha Commission. Commission has recommended prosecution of former Chief Minister Yediyurappa and n health minister B Sriramulu.

SIT Likely Comprise Three Members

SIT will have power to furr investigate, find culprit, make an FIR, file a chargesheet, and start prosecution. formation of SIT received in-principle approval from Cabinet last month and is expected to be set up in a few days. team will likely comprise three members.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, HK Patil, has accused previous BJP government of "colossal corruption" and "inhuman incidents" and recalled that Cunha Commission h studied around 50,000 files and submitted an interim report.

" SIT won't just go by information available in report. If need be, y will furr investigate, find culprit, make an FIR, file a chargesheet and start prosecution," Patil said.

When specifically asked if FIRs would be filed against Yediyurappa and Sriramulu, Patil stated, "FIRs will be filed against culprits and those who worked against people and humanity."

He furr said, 7-member sub-committee heed by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, which is studying Justice Cunha's findings, has placed its discussions before Cabinet.

Leaked excerpts from Justice Cunha's report show discrepancies in procurement of three lakh PPE kits from two Chinese firms in 2020.

Earlier, Cabinet decided to recover Rs 500 crore from companies that were involved in supplying Covid-19 equipment and kits. Specifically, Justice Cunha has recommended recovery of Rs 187.91 crore from health department, National Health Mission and Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation.

Patil specified that SIT will not be involved in recovery. "Recovery will be done by a separate agency," he said.